Unhappy Canucks look to break losing ways against Flames

Vancouver Canucks captain Henrik Sedin had no sparkle in his eyes when asked about the team's mood following Saturday's morning skate.

Photograph by: Darryl Dyck
, Canadian Press files

GAMEDAY

CALGARY FLAMES (25-31-7) AT VANCOUVER CANUCKS (28-27-10)

TONIGHT, 7 PM, ROGERS ARENA

TV: CBC. RADIO: TEAM 1040

VANCOUVER – The reeling Vancouver Canucks are back at Rogers Arena tonight and will attempt to climb out of their latest hole – a four-game losing streak – against the Calgary Flames.

Captain Henrik Sedin had no sparkle in his eyes when asked about the team's mood following today's morning skate. The Canucks are coming off back-to-back dismal performances in Phoenix and Dallas where they were outscored by a combined 7-1 margin. The Canucks start the night in 11th place in the Western Conference. They are 1-10-1 in their last 12 games.

“I think the mood is where it should be,” Henrik said. “I mean, we're not in the playoffs so we're not happy. I wouldn't say we're frustrated but it's not a good feeling – and it shouldn't be.”

The last time the Flames were in Vancouver on Jan. 18, there was a line brawl off the opening faceoff, followed by Canuck head coach John Tortorella storming the Calgary dressing room during the first intermission in an apparent attempt to get at Flames' counterpart Bob Hartley. Tortorella was subsequently suspended for six games.

“This game has nothing to do with the last one,” said Tortorella. “As far as I'm concerned, this is our next game after playing poorly in our last two road games. We need to answer in us playing better. Nothing else is involved in this.”

The Canucks will have one lineup change as Utica Comets' callup Nick Jensen will take the spot of suspended right winger Zack Kassian. He is expected to start on a line with Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins. Jensen has scored nine goals for the Comets in his last 14 games after a slow start, caused in part by a training camp shoulder injury. On the season, Jensen has 15 goals in 51 American League games.

“We've had really good reports on Jensen, especially of late here,” Tortorella said. “I'm going to put him in a spot in an offensive position at the start of the game and we'll see where we go.”

Jensen, who turned 21 on Thursday, seemed up for the challenge.

“I think every kid's dream is to play in the NHL and to play with guys like that (Kesler and Higgins) is pretty cool,” said Jensen, who did appear in two games with the Canucks last season. “But it's still a hockey game and I need to show up and not just look at them.”

Kassian, meanwhile, expressed his frustration at being slapped with a three-game suspension for his hit-from-behind major penalty Thursday on Dallas defenceman Brendan Dillon.

“At a time like this, I want to be on the ice and try to help the team win,” Kassian said. “If you look at the tape, I shoulda coulda but I didn't and I'm stuck with a three-game suspension watching my team battle for a playoff spot. It's tough. I thought his shoulders started to turn, they didn't turn fully and I got him. Looking at the replay, I probably should have slowed up, to be honest, but I thought he was going to turn completely and you have to make those split-second decisions. Immediately after that, I was thinking: 'Bleep, he should have turned.'

“It's frustrating, very frustrating,” added Kassian. “I'm very upset but there is nothing you can do. I'm happy he didn't get hurt.”

Based on the morning skate, the remaining Canuck lines expected to start against the Flames are: Henrik Sedin with Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen; newcomer Shawn Matthias between Tom Sestito and David Booth; and Jordan Schroeder centering for Darren Archibald and Zac Dalpe.

Eddie Lack will start in goal.

The Flames did not have a morning skate today but, based on Friday night's 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders, their expected lines will be: Michael Cammalleri-Mikael Backlund-Lance Bouma; T.J Galiardi-Sean Monahan-Joe Colborne; Max Reinhart-Markus Granlund-Paul Byron; and Ben Hanowski-Corban Knight-Brian McGrattan.

Joni Ortio is scheduled to start between the pipes.

ICE CHIPS: The Canuck power play enters the night ranked 28th at 14 per cent while the Flames are 26th at 14.2 per cent... The Canucks' penalty killing, which was first in the league for much of the season's first half, is now sixth at 84.1 per cent. The Flames are ranked 17th on the P.K... Referees for tonight's game are Dennis LaRue and Brian Pochmara.

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